THE PAST AND THE FUTURE

DATE LINE 4 MAY 2013  SATURDAY

What hides behind the result of the PRU13? No one knows now. But it will become obvious before midnight Sunday 5th of May 2013. The candidates and their political parties would no doubt feel confidence of their success. However nothing is sure until the ballot papers are counted. 222 and 505 Parliment and State seats respectively are in the offer to the chosen candidates. Who are the winners?

However the past has gone behind us and we can still recall the moments, the anecdotes especially with photographs that capture those moments in time. Let me share with friends some of the wonderful attractions which I have managed to fall back while shifting through the files of photos in the meantime afforded by the good weekend of the 3rd and 4th of May 2013..

A photo taken on one of the beaches at beautiful Langkawi. A tent set especially for a special sunset dinner by the beach.

     An old house, with the distinct roof feature you would recognize where it was seen. Yes at Bukit Tinggi Sumatra.

 At the Mine outside Kuala Lumpur, if you should wander into the exclusive area you would notice this house, home to DR M and his wife Toh Puan Siti Hasmah. 

 When we were in Kuantan a few years back, caught this photo of this colorful building. Interesting to note ways or actions taken to make things extraordinary.

 One exacting feature at the entrance to Tangkak town, which catches the eye as you exit the toll gate and enter the town.

Two pictures, that help to remind that the trishaws were once
the main transportation mode for people in the towns. Pix taken at Malacca.

  An old Malay home at Balik Pulau Pulau Pinang. Notice the zinc roofs, once a popular perhaps lasting roof choice for the substantial saving on the annual house repair.  

  

Above two picture of a Terangganu house lovingly restored with the intricacies of Malay craftsmanship. Came across this building while on a journey from Kuala Terengganu to Kelantan

  A kris in my collection captured with the palm leaf as a background.

This beautiful mosque must be a sure visit when you are in the historic town of Muar Johore.

Took this photograph back in 1954. Yes this is the famous Pekan Rabu where Dr M had his earlier business when he was a youth.

Sorry. You will find it hard to come across such buildings in Mekkah or Madinah now. The intricate window frames which formed a special feature together with the old buildings have been pulled down to make way for modernity. 

Back in 1956 had this photo taken in England. Sdr Abdul Wahab ( left) was a classmate in the Standard IX, who was on training in the navy force in England and Sdr Syed Annuar ( centre) was at Kirkby College. Sadly I have not met Sdr Abd Wahab since, though came across Syed Annuar several years ago. 

 A Malay house at Alor Setar, turned into a cafe and hotel. Back in 1955 P.Ramlee and Saloma were here and performed on a special stage put up in front of the building. I was one of the spectators at the show . Alas the building too has been pulled down.Fortunately after the photograph was taken.

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The interior of Balai Besar in Alor Setar, once the ceremonial hall for investiture etc . Now the building has been left unused, remaining only as a feature in town.  

The 'Padang' in the centre of Alor Setar. Pix taken in 1964 when the Royal Malay Regiment then stationed at Kepala Batas formed the ceremonial parade.It is adjacent to the Balai Besar and the Zahir Mosque though not a trace of the turf can be seen or found at its place.

 This seems to be true to features of the past, hardly surviving and being exchanged for modernity or totally disappearing to make way for what are terms modern. Yet on the other hand we fight to restore the old, on the indicators given by UNESCO. As if we could never realize the importance and values ourselves unless international bodies vouched for their credits.